Off-the-shelf power supplies for lithotripsy systems can save months of development time if the right option is selected early enough, according to Todd Huston of Advanced Energy.
Intravascular lithotripsy (IVL) breaks up calcified plaque using shock waves generated by electrodes inside a balloon catheter, as shown in the illustration below.
These evolutions are enabling the treatment of symptoms in a greater range of conditions and leading to shortened hospital stays and expanding outpatient treatment options.
These advances rely on high-voltage pulsed power systems, which is why power needs to be considered early in the design cycle.
Extracorporeal Shock Wave Lithotripsy (ESWL) remains the most widely used form of lithotripsy, and its continued evolution depends on the development of high-voltage power systems.
Author's summary: Lithotripsy technology relies on high-voltage power systems.